Right-Back Crisis Threatens England's World Cup Campaign
England's preparations for today's DR Congo clash have been marred by a crisis that was unthinkable just five years ago. Throughout the majority of his eight-year tenure, former England manager Gareth Southgate could indulge in a plethora of superb options at right-back. It was a situation that just seemed to happen immediately, and then keep on snowballing. Soon after having to name a 32-year-old Glen Johnson in his first-ever squad, England were suddenly blessed in the position and Southgate spoilt for choice.
Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Reece James and then Trent Alexander-Arnold: that tended to be seen as the batting order. But there were also appearances by Kyle Walker-Peters, Ben White, James Justin, Nathaniel Clyne and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Centre-backs Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez played there. Even Aaron Wan-Bissaka got a call-up. Today he plays for DR Congo against England.
Tuchel's Squad Selection Under Scrutiny
Thomas Tuchel would dearly love to be in a position even half as fortunate now. He and England had been searching for makeshift solutions at right-back before the Panama game. Since that 2-0 win, it has been a hunt for makeshift alternatives to the makeshift solutions. Tuchel obsessed over the compilation of his squad, picking individuals that covered every position and 26 players with unique skillsets rather than duplicating. Now, though, a right-back crisis has hit in the middle of the tournament, just as England head into the knockout stages where any slip-up means having to answer tough questions and board the next flight home.
Injuries Unravel Tuchel's Plans
Things began to unravel just two days before England's tournament opener against Croatia when Tino Livramento had to drop out of the squad with a calf injury. It left James as the only right-back in the squad, and Tuchel's contingency plan was to pluck Trevoh Chalobah from Times Square on his New York holiday and draft him in, allowing centre-back Jarell Quansah to shift to auxiliary right-back understudy. And then after starts against Croatia and Ghana, James himself was out. His has been a career plagued by injury, and a hamstring problem flared up at an awful time. He and Quansah are out for the DR Congo match, leaving England with no fit right-backs for their first knockout match.
“You find solutions,” an upbeat Tuchel said yesterday. “Other players will step up and we will push this over the line.”
Potential Replacements and Tactical Adjustments
The likeliest candidate is Ezri Konsa, the defender who has played more than any other player under Tuchel, but whose performances at centre-back during this World Cup have left something to be desired, certainly compared with his assured displays for Aston Villa. Tuchel may play Konsa at right-back — where he has played for his country before — and bring John Stones back in to partner Marc Guehi in the middle. Or Djed Spence, who is the epitome of this ‘different players for different scenarios’ squad Tuchel has compiled. Right-footed but selected this summer predominantly as cover on the left, it was he who came on for Quansah when he plodded off injured against Panama. Spence can play on the right again, though is he to be trusted to be positionally disciplined for the full 90 minutes of a game England simply must win?
Tuchel's Optimism and Superstitions
Best case, this awkward situation — exactly the sort of thing that can happen in a tournament — should soon be solved. Tuchel says James and, just ahead of him in his recovery, Quansah weren't too far off being fit. Perhaps Quansah can be ready for the round of 16. Perhaps both can. England must get that far first — without them. On Chelsea's fateful run to Champions League glory under Tuchel in 2021, the German had a pair of lucky shoes. When he revealed they are not with him for this tournament, he explained: “It doesn't fit the story. It would be a bit artificial. I don't see the connection.” Instead, he has new superstitions for this World Cup, but he won't give away what they are. If fortune is on Tuchel's side, England's stand-in right-back will stand up and be counted today.
